Publications

UN Basic Facts

The UN Chronicle, a quarterly journal published by the Department of Public Information since 1946, covers information and debate on activities of the United Nations system. It features essays and opinions from official, non-governmental, academic, and policymaking groups connected with the Organization. The journal covers a wide-range of topics including: human rights; economic, social and political issues; peacekeeping operations; international conferences; youth related matters; women and children; and global health.

The Yearbook of the United Nations, published by the Department of Public Information, stands as the authoritative reference work on the activities and concerns of the Organization. Based on official UN documents, the Yearbook provides comprehensive coverage of political and security matters, human rights issues, economic and social questions, legal issues and institutional, administrative and budgetary matters. Each of the 65 volumes of the Yearbook, dating back to the 1946-47 edition, includes the texts of all major General Assembly, Security Council and Economic and Social Council resolutions and decisions, and places them in the narrative context of UN consideration, deliberation and action. The latest edition, The Yearbook of the United Nations, 2011 (Vol.65), was published in December 2015.

Published since 1947, Basic Facts about the United Nations serves as a trusted guide to the United Nations and its system of related agencies. This comprehensive handbook designed for the general public explains the structure of the United Nations, how the Organization works, the main issues it addresses and its importance for people everywhere. In addition to setting out the various roles played by principle UN organs and related organizations, Basic Facts about the United Nations documents the Organization’s contributions to international peace and security, economic and social development, human rights, humanitarian action, international law and decolonization. Appendices contain current data on UN membership and peacekeeping operations, as well as contact information for UN information centres, services and offices.